HOMELY: Mourinho back in his home country [GETTy]

In 1992 the Chelsea boss first linked up with Sir Bobby Robson, who had just been appointed boss of Sporting Lisbon.

"He introduced himself at the airport," former England boss Robson later recalled.

"He said, 'hello, mister, my name is José Mourinho and the president [of Sporting] has hired me as your interpreter - I hope I can do a good job for you, mister.'

"That was José. Very nice, very respectful, very handsome."

Like the modernised airport, now with a second terminal, the Mourinho of today is unrecognisable from the rookie Sir Bobby took under his wing, and then with him to Porto and Barcelona after he was axed by Sporting after a season-and-a-half.

Mourinho has often spoke of his gratitude to Sir Bobby and admitted it was he who showed him what it takes to be a coach.

Reflecting on his time with the Portuguese giants - who Chelsea play in the Champions League tonight - the Blues boss said: "It was a fantastic time until the moment they sacked Mr Robson.

"It's a very nice club, with a huge population of supporters. A club with big tradition. A club that has many sports.

"Sporting is a club with a big tradition. Every Portuguese guy - even if he's not a Sporting supporter - when Sporting during the last decade was in trouble, nobody was happy. Everybody's happy that Sporting is back."

Mourinho's comments look like they could help him avoid a hostile reception at the Estadio Jose Alvalade tonight, despite him being boss of Porto from 2002-4.

He also got himself into the good books of Sporting fans this month by having a row with Jorge Jesus, boss of hated Lisbon rivals Benfica, over their young attacking midfielder Talisca.

But behind the return to the Portugal capital, Mourinho knows his men face a tough challenge tonight, with their opponents unbeaten in their last 16 home games in Europe and boasting on-loan Manchester United star Nani.

"The point is that Sporting is a big club," said Mourinho. "It was in an economical crisis for a while and because of that it was out of Champions League for a decade.

"Now they are back and now they are fighting for the domestic titles and now they are back in the Champions League.

"The first match at home is against Chelsea - not against Maribor - managed by a Portuguese coach.

"For them it's a super motivation. The group is open. Everybody has one point. It will be a big match.

"A team to try to be champions in Portugal is not a counter-attack team.

"It's a team that wants to be dominant.

"But when you get to Europe people adapt to opponents. They know that Chelsea's a strong side, so I'm not expecting them to play against Chelsea the same way they play a small match in the Portuguese league.

"Of course they are going to respect Chelsea. I will do everything for my players to respect them too."